CHAPTER 13

Bella POV:

My hand instinctively covered the small bump I felt sticking out on the right side of my midsection. It had just appeared about an hour ago, and I couldn't help but touch it and try to protect it. "Carlisle? Tell me the truth. Does this baby really have a chance? I mean, if I could go maybe another week . . . would that give it a real chance to survive?"

Carlisle sunk down to sit on the stool as he explained, "Bella, the longer you can hold this baby inside, the better the chance of it surviving outside the womb, yes. But the complication here, is the other baby. The larger this baby becomes, the more chance of losing the other. You will have to choose between them eventually."

I couldn't choose between their fathers . . . how can I choose between the babies? I closed my eyes and sighed. I can't sacrifice Jacob's baby to save Edward's. I won't do that to Jake . . . or to myself. But, Edward's baby deserves the chance to live too . . . God, what am I going to do?

I opened my eyes and looked at Carlisle. "Can we take this one day at a time?"

Carlisle gave me a cautious look then nodded slightly. "We can try, but, I will monitor you constantly and if I see that the fetus is causing you any stress, we will go ahead with the procedure. You have to be honest with me about how you are feeling, and trust me when I say enough is enough. Can you do that?"

"Yes, I can. I do trust you."

"But I want you to understand that I cannot guarantee that this will make a difference."

I nodded to him and said simply, "I understand. But I have to try."

I watched his face as he weighed the choices then finally he said, "Alright then. Let me get Esme back in here to help you get dressed and take out the IV. But listen, Bella, I don't want any stress put on your body at all. Think of yourself as an incubator of sorts right now. I won't put you on total bed rest just yet, but I will if I see you in too much stress. Stay off your feet as much as possible. You can walk small distances, but no stairs, and no lifting anything. And if you experience any pain at all, you will call for me, understood?"

"Yes, sir. Understood. Now, can you do me a favor?"

"Certainly."

I gave him a hopeful smile. "Help me think of a way to tell my dad? I was supposed to cook dinner for him tonight."

He smiled at that and patted my arm affectionately. "I will think of something to tell Charlie, I promise."

Carlisle moved to the door and called for Esme. She came right away and removed the IV and then went to get me a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt to dress in. Once I was dressed, she walked me slowly down the hall to one of the guest bedrooms since Carlisle didn't want me to do the stairs. She didn't have much to say to me. I suppose hearing that I betrayed Edward, who she considered her son, was too much for her.

This guest room wasn't quite as elaborate as the rooms upstairs, but I could still fit two of my bedrooms at my Dad's inside this one. The room was decorated in neutral shades to fit whatever gender was using it. It also had an adjoining bathroom so that would be convenient. And just like most of the rooms in this house, there were huge windows that helped to bring the feel of the outdoors in.

I was now tucked into the huge bed, propped up against a pile of pillows sipping tea, still waiting for Edward to make an appearance. Carlisle assured me he just needed some time, and that he would be in soon. I knew when my secret came out it would hurt him, but I guess I stupidly didn't realize how much. I never wanted him to find out about Jake and me, but I should have realized that secrets have a way of coming out. Boy, what a way for it to come out. I felt so horrible that he had to find out this way. I should have told him . . . it was stupid to try and hide it.

The door opened and I anxiously looked up hoping to see Edward, but it was Rosalie who asked politely, "May I come in?"

"Sure," I nodded. Rosalie and I still weren't close. I knew she thought I was making the wrong decision in wanting to become one of them. She tolerated me being in the family, but she never sought me out. Why now?

"How are you feeling?" Rosalie asked.

"Physically, fine. Mentally, I'm a mess. I'm scared, embarrassed, frustrated . . . you name it."

She actually smiled at me as she pulled a chair close to the bed then sat down. "I'm the one that asked if you could carry this baby a little longer. Edward and the do . . . Jacob were both very angry with me, but I'm sorry, Bella. I couldn't see killing this baby just because it was growing too fast. It deserves a chance to live."

Rosalie had shared her story with me once, how she never wanted this life. She wanted to get married and a have a family of her own. She missed out on having babies . . . I knew she was sensitive to that subject. I guess that's why she had just become this baby's advocate for life. "I understand that. Carlisle never really gave me a chance to think about it. He just told me he wanted to bring me here and . . . remove it."

"I suspected that. Look, Bella, even a week might give it a better chance to live. That's not too long."

"I told Carlisle I would take it one day at a time. He promised he would let me do that."

She smiled again and it made her look even more beautiful, if that was possible. "Good. Thank you, Bella."

I nodded. "Have you seen Edward? Is he . . . still so angry?"

"I don't know," she said with a small shake of her head. "Emmett took him outside for a walk. They haven't come back yet."

An awkward silence stretched out between us, so Rosalie stood up and asked, "Can I get you anything?"

"No, I'm fine, thank you."

"Alright." And with that, she turned and walked out the door. I realized she wanted this baby almost as much as I did. It would be her chance to mother a child, even if it wasn't hers. It could bring us closer, or tear us further apart.

I laid there, lost in my thoughts for awhile until the door opened, and once again I looked for Edward, but it was my dad that walked in, still dressed in his uniform. "Hey, kiddo."

I smiled at him, even though I was sure I wasn't ready for this yet. "Hey, Dad. Sorry about dinner. The lasagna is in the fridge."

He gave me a smile as he sat down in the chair that Rosalie had pulled over to the bed just a little while ago. "Aw honey," he said as he took my hand. "You know, when Jake called me and said he had something to tell me about you, this is the last thing I expected. How are you? Are you alright?"

I nodded then asked, "Did you see Carlisle?"

"Yeah, he explained everything. He told me you're pregnant with twins, and one of them may not be forming properly and it's giving you some trouble. He's keeping a close eye on you until he can get a better picture of what's going on."

I had to hand it to Carlisle. He had a great way of telling the truth, yet leaving out certain facts that he knew would be too much for someone to comprehend. I suddenly wondered if he had done that with me. "Yeah. Soooo, are you . . . shocked? Me being pregnant?"

He hung his head for a moment so I couldn't read his face then he looked up and said, "Well, I suspected maybe that was the reason for the rush to get married. I just wish you would have been honest with me."

"No, Dad. It wasn't like that. I wasn't pregnant when I got married. I'm not quite 6 weeks along. I promise you."

I could see he wasn't too sure that I was telling him the truth, but I guess I couldn't blame him. I had been lying to him for so long now . . . sooner or later it was going to catch up with me. "So, where is Edward? I figured he'd be here with you. I talked to Jake who is sitting outside the door like some guard dog, and he said you were in here alone."

"I don't know, Dad. He went out with Emmett for awhile. He's not so happy about . . . things."

"He didn't want kids?"

"No, it's just . . . neither one of us expected this, and it's just taken him by surprise, that's all," I said, avoiding eye contact by staring at the blanket and picking at it with my fingers.

I glanced up to see Dad eye me suspiciously. Yeah, I knew he wouldn't buy that one. I took a deep breath and then said, "He found out something today, and he has every right to be upset with me. I did something that hurt him very deeply." I felt tears coming again and I bit my lip to hold them back.

"Honey, what's going on here? Talk to me," he said softly as he took my hand.

"I cheated on him, Dad. Two days before the wedding . . . with Jacob. I slept with Jake and now, he might be the father . . . " I couldn't finish. It was just too humiliating.

"Aw, Bells." Dad scooted over to sit on the bed beside me and hold me while I cried all over him. I had never done that with him before, not even when Edward left me all those months ago, and I'm sure it was not a new experience he really enjoyed. After awhile, he shoved a wad of Kleenex into my hand and I blew my nose and tried to stop the waterworks while he moved back to the chair. "So, you slept with Jake. Why then did you go ahead and marry Edward?"

"Cause Dad, I love Edward," I sniffed.

I could see by the confused look on his face, he wasn't getting this. "But you must have feelings for Jake, too. You're not the kind of girl who sleeps around. At least, I didn't think you were."

"No, of course I'm not. Jake . . . he was my first, oh God, I can't believe I am having this conversation with you." I put my hands over my face to hide the redness that I was sure was spreading.

"Yeah, it's not so fun for me either," he mumbled. Then he took a deep breath and said in a tone I was sure he used when he was interrogating a suspect, "So, you and Jake . . . you know, but you still went ahead with the wedding because you love Edward."

"Yes, Dad. I love Jake, too, but . . . this is just so horrible. How can I be in love with two different guys? Mom never covered this one when she used to talk to me about boys."

Dad actually smiled at that. "You're asking me? I don't have any experience in that area, Bells. I'm still trying to get by the fact that Billy didn't talk to Jake about condoms."

I rolled my eyes at him. "We didn't plan on having sex. I hadn't seen him in weeks, you know that, and he just showed up out of the blue, and it just happened, so fast, and . . . I don't want to talk about that with you."

"Good. I don't want to hear it. But you know, Bells, you cold have avoided this mess if you just would have realized you were marrying the wrong guy. I knew how you felt about Jake, Billy could see it, hell, even Jake knew. Everyone, but you. Bella, when are you going to wake up and realize that you don't belong here with him?"

"What?" I asked. I was in complete shock now.

"Come on, Bells, just look around you," he gestured by holding his arms out. "This designer house is so huge. . . I don't know how you find the bathroom without a map. And what about those parties they throw for you when we all know how much you hate the attention? The fancy clothes they try to make you wear . . . that huge army-type vehicle he makes you drive . . . none of it is you. When you're with Edward, you never smile or laugh . . . not like when you're with Jake. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise . . . a wake-up call of sorts. I know you think you love this guy, and maybe you do, but ask yourself, where is he right now?"

Now he was pissing me off. "Look, Dad, I wanted you to know the truth, but I didn't expect this kind of lecture. I figured you'd be disappointed in me for getting pregnant, but . . . "

"I'm not disappointed in you for getting pregnant, Bella. I mean, would I have liked for you to be older than 18 when you got pregnant? Yes. You know I wasn't in favor of you getting married so young either. But, one thing I know about you, honey, is you have to learn things for yourself. So, learn from this. Think long and hard about who is really best for you and your babies. I hope for your sake, Jake is the father. He may be young, but I think he can handle it. At least he's here."

I closed my eyes and sighed back into my pillows. I knew he didn't know the whole truth, so he had no idea what this little speech of his was really doing to me. "Dad, you've made it very clear how you feel about Edward, and I know you've always been Jake's biggest fan, but this is just more complicated than you know, OK?"

Just then, we heard a knock on the door and Jacob stuck his head in. "Can I come in?"

"Dad is still wearing his gun, Jake. You might want to re-think that," I called out.

Dad winked at me then said, "Come on in, Jake."

Jacob stepped inside, closed the door behind him then cautiously walked toward us. "So, I guess Bella told you?" I quickly tried to give him a look that said, "Not the whole truth," but I couldn't tell if he caught it or not.

"Yes she did. You ready to be a father, Jake?"

"No, sir. But I have been thinking about it. I am going to try and get enough credits to graduate mid-term in January then I'll find a job and work full-time. Bella isn't due until end of March or beginning of April, so that gives me a couple of months to save up some money. "

I just stared at Jacob and wondered how the hell he thought that would work. How would he fulfill his wolf duties? His tribal duties?

"Well, that's a start," Dad told him. "It won't be easy though, you know. Especially given Bella's current marital status. They'll be custody arrangements and child support . . . "

"I understand that. But this is my family, Charlie, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I will be there to love and take care of my family." Then he looked down at me and added softly, "And Bella, too, if she'd let me."

I shot him a look that told him he better stop right there. Dad was already on his side . . . I didn't want them both to gang up on me right now. "Look, can we talk about all that later? I mean I'm only like 6 weeks along. Nothing has to be decided right this second."

"Of course, kiddo, you look tired. Why don't you get some rest, and I'll talk to you again tomorrow." He stood to go then he stopped and said, "And, you know, if you want to come home, all you have to do is call, anytime, day or night. You got that?"

I smiled and sniffed back tears, yet again. "Yeah, Dad, I got it."

He bent down and dropped a kiss on my head. "No matter what, you know I love you, Bells."

"I do. I love you, too, Dad."

He looked over at Jake and shook his head. "So Billy never told you about condoms?"

"Oh my God, Dad. Really?" I cried out, completely embarrassed.

Of course, Jake just smiled. "Yes he did, but, well, I didn't really plan on that happening," he explained slowly. "But, I should have stopped when I realized where it was going."

Dad sighed. "Well, what's done is done." He slapped Jake on the back and added, "See you later." He turned to walk to the door then stopped and threw at me, "And Bella? You get to tell your mother. Have fun with that one." Then he waved and walked out of the room as Jake flopped into the chair.

"Well, I survived that with no holes shot in me. That's a good thing," he said with relief.

"Oh please. Don't you remember how he was when he found out you kissed me the day I broke my hand? He was practically jumping up and down cheering for you."

His signature grin spread across his face. "Yeah, but stealing a kiss and getting you pregnant are two very different things, Bells. I have to tell you I was pretty worried."

"Well, obviously, I didn't tell him the whole truth. I told him that you might be the father. I couldn't tell him that one was yours and one was Edward's. It was humiliating enough just to tell him I cheated on Edward with you. And get this . . . he wasn't mad that I slept with you, he was mad that I slept with you, but still married Edward! He thinks I don't belong here."

"Neither do I, but that can't be a surprise. It's just not you," he shrugged.

"That's what he said. Why is it so hard to imagine me fitting in here?"

"I don't know . . . it's just this place is so cold and unfeeling. It doesn't look lived-in. And the way they all dress . . . no one just wears a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, except the blonde guy who always looks like he's in pain?" He paused to allow me to supply a name.

"Jasper."

"Yeah, him. He wears jeans and boots, but the rest of them look like they stepped out of a magazine. You're beautiful, Bella, right now in your sweatpants and your Paramore t-shirt, although your choice of bands is questionable. But, you don't fit in here. You just don't."

I scowled at him. "That's your opinion, and apparently my dad's, too. I didn't marry Edward for his money, and I don't care about the clothes and the cars. I married Edward because I love him, and you and Dad are going to have to back off!"

"But shouldn't that tell you something if we both feel that way? The two people in the world that know you better than anyone? Better even than your husband?" he shot back. "At least we're here for you."

I reached up and rubbed my forehead. This was getting out of hand and I really didn't want to think anymore. Maybe it was because he was getting too close to the truth. "Jake, this whole thing is so . . . weird. Can we not do this right now?"

His face softened as he said, "Sure, sure. I'm sorry, Bells. I didn't mean to upset you." He reached out and took my hand into his. I knew he meant well, so did my dad, but I just couldn't deal with any of it right now. "Is it OK if I turn on the TV? Maybe we can find something good to watch on the Food Channel. "

I smiled at him and nodded, "Yeah, OK." I knew he was itching to watch the big flat screen that was mounted on the wall opposite the bed, even if it meant watching the Food Channel. He turned it on and we settled in to watch Paula Deen cook some barbeque.

"You know, I guess I should call my mom and get that over with," I told Jake.

He reached over to pick up my cell phone and hand it to me with a sly smile. "I am so staying to listen to this."

With an exaggerated eye roll, I took it and dialed Mom's number. "Hey Mom. How are you?"

"I'm good, honey, how are you? Are you still on your honeymoon?"

"Nope. Been home a couple of days. I, uh, have some news to share with you." Be strong, Bella. "I uh, just found out that, I um . . . I'm pregnant."

"What?" I could hear the anger in her voice. "You promised me you weren't getting married at 18 because you were pregnant . . . "

"I just found out, Mom." I knew her voice was loud enough for Jake to hear as he just grinned and shook his head. I stuck my tongue out at him then focused on Mom's rant as he laughed at me.

I could hear the frustration in her voice as she calmed a little to ask, "Oh Bella, why weren't you on the pill? I took you to that doctor before you left Phoenix . . . he gave you a prescription. Didn't you fill it?"

I was dating a vampire . . . I didn't think I had to. "Mom, I'm sorry. I told you Edward was old-fashioned and wanted to wait until we were married. I didn't think I needed it."

"But you're so young."

"Yeah, well, I never really thought I'd get pregnant the first time I had sex. Talk about being a statistic." Jake snickered at that one and I glared at him before saying into the phone, "Look, Mom, I'm sorry you're disappointed in me, but I think it's a little late for a lecture, OK?" Suddenly my head as throbbing and I put my hand up to rub my forehead.

"Fine, I won't lecture. What did you father have to say?"

I didn't even want to go there. I couldn't tell her about Jake right now. I just couldn't. Instead I said, "About the same as you."

"Well, I guess we were both hoping you would learn from our mistake."

"Thanks for calling me a mistake, Mom. That makes me feel so much better."

"That's not what I meant and you know it. It was a mistake for us to marry so young. I've always loved you, Isabella. You were not a mistake."

I sighed and sunk back further into the pillows. "I know, Mom, I'm sorry. Look, I'm nauseous and tired, so I'm going to go. We'll talk another time, OK?"

"Alright. Take care of yourself, honey. Peppermint tea helps."

"OK, I'll try that thanks. Bye." I hung up and set the phone on the nightstand and looked at Jake. "Well, that was fun."

"I take it she was thrilled," he said sarcastically. "I notice my name never came up."

"I just couldn't go there after getting a lecture about getting pregnant at 18." I again rubbed my forehead then said, "I just need to relax. What's Paula making now?"

"Gooey Butter Cake," Jake answered. "God, I hate watching Paula. I'm starving now."

I smiled at him as he took my hand again and thought how it was so comfortable sitting with Jacob. He was still my best friend . . . the best one I had ever had. I walked away from him once, but now, we would be bound together for the rest of our lives by this baby, and I just realized how happy that really made me.

I must have dozed off because I jumped awake when I heard a knock on the door. I looked over at the chair where Jake was slouched down with his head back and his mouth open, snoring softly.

"Come in," I called out.

The door opened and Edward finally stepped into the room. I quickly pulled my hand from Jacob's and reached out to shake him awake. "Jake! Wake up."

Finally he opened his eyes and looked at me with a start. "Huh? You OK?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Edward is here and I'd like to talk to him," I explained, nodding toward the door.

Jake looked over at Edward and then back at me. "Yeah, OK. I guess I better head home and face Dad. I've put it off long enough." He stood and stretched then looked down at me and added, "I'll be back tomorrow."

"See ya," I said with a nod.

"Yep," he replied as he walked slowly past Edward, giving him the evil eye, and then out the door.

Edward closed the door then walked toward me and stopped at the end of the bed to grip the footboard. "How are you?" he asked quietly.

"I'm fine."

"So, you've decided to wait. Are you sure that's wise?"

I glanced down at my hand that was resting over my baby bump. "No, I'm not sure, but I've got to try, don't you think? I would have asked your opinion, but you disappeared so I made the decision myself." I didn't realize how pissed I was at him until right now. Dad was right. He should have been here with me, instead of Jake. He is my husband and this baby's father.

"I'm sorry. I needed some time to think."

"And?"

He stepped over to sit on the bed beside me. "And, I'm having a difficult time coming to terms with what I've done, what you've done, and the consequences of those actions."

I snorted, "Consequences . . . you make it sound like a prison sentence or something."

"It feels that way to me. How do you think it will for me to watch you growing bigger every day with Jacob's child?" he asked coldly.

The look of pain that crossed his face was too much for me to bear and words just started spilling out of my mouth. "I'm so sorry, Edward. I never meant for it to happen. It's not like I set out to have sex with him. He came back two nights before the wedding, and I hadn't seen him for weeks. I know it sounds so stupid, but it just happened. I should have stopped him and I didn't and I am so sorry that you found out this way. I never wanted you to know because it was a one-time thing, and I didn't want to see you hurt. I went ahead with the wedding because I love you, and I wanted to be with you."

"But you love him, too. I knew it that day on the mountain when he kissed you, but I thought . . . I was so sure you loved me more. I just never imagined that you would go that far. I guess he could give you something that I couldn't, or wouldn't."

"Damnit, Edward. I did this, and I'm sorry. It was a mistake . . . it should never have happened, and I don't expect you to forgive me, but I hope . . . somehow, maybe we could get past it."

His head shook back and forth as he said slowly, "Now you are pregnant with a baby from each of us . . . I have no idea how to deal with that. It's like you'll always have to choose between us."

I reached out to grip his arm. "But I did choose . . . I chose you."

He gave me a small sad smile. "Yes, you did. And look what you got. Bella, this thing, this . . ."

"Baby, Edward. It is a baby."

"This baby, will kill you, Bella. I did my own research. Most mothers don't live through the childbirth."

"But none of them had Carlisle standing by to take it out before it hurts me. I trust him, Edward."

"I trust him, too. But then there is the matter of . . . the other baby. Are you willing to sacrifice it?"

I felt that I should say yes, but I couldn't. I shook my head slowly. "No," I admitted quietly.

He turned away from me to lean forward resting his forearms on his thighs. "So then, this is folly. Just let him take it, Bella. I can't stand the thought of having a reminder of my failure around me all the time." He dropped his head to stare at the floor as I thought about what he just said.

Failure? This is about him? I sat up straighter in my anger to ask,"Did you seriously just call our baby a 'reminder of your failure?' How is this about you, Edward? We made this baby together. We were in love, on our honeymoon, when some people end up making babies. How is that a failure? You're not even supposed to be able to make babies! I think it's more like a miracle!"

"A miracle?" he sneered as he shot off of the bed. "My God, Bella. I saw what you looked like after we made this little miracle. What I did to you. And now, this miracle is growing too fast and will probably end up killing you!"

This was quickly becoming beyond ridiculous. I couldn't stand to hear the words that were coming out of his mouth. "Stop it, Edward. Just stop. I can't take anymore. You can be upset with me over what happened with Jake, but not this. This is our baby, Edward, and Rosalie is right. It deserves a chance to live, so I am going to try and give it a chance. Carlisle will know when enough is enough and I will listen to him. But I will not tolerate you hating this child because it reminds you of your failure."

Edward looked at me and nodded curtly. "Fine. Do whatever what you want. But I'm not sure I can be a part of it." Then he turned on his heel and walked out of the room. I laid back against the pillows and let the tears come once again as I wondered, How are we ever going to get through this?